Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix (XBLA, PSN) Review
Posted by Armando Rodriguez on 12.22.2008
Time to get your hadouken on...in HD! Check out our review of the latest from Capcom.
Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix (how’s that for a long name?) is the 6th version of Street Fighter II ever created. In spite of the many complaints of “yet another rehash” HD Remix is the best Street Fighter II ever created.
So what’s inside HD Remix? The game presents you with two gameplay experiences: Classic Mode is the same game you played on the arcades, right down to 16 bit graphics. Everything looks and plays just like you remember. The new Remix mode is where the true changes begin. The graphics have been completely redesigned and look straight out of a comic book. They look good on standard televisions and even better in high definition. Everything is more colorful and vibrant than before and full of little details. Guile and Sagat look more muscular, clothing details like Ryu’s headband flow with the wind and Chun Li has gotten bigger….er…assets. The stages have also been redesigned. They retain the basic template from the original and add more characters or more vibrant background details. I found it a bit odd that the background spectators in Brazil look Japanese, but hey, what can you do. The special effects of the special moves have also been retouched and look crisper.
The sound was also remixed. The new tracks are very good and rock heavy, but some of them are very similar to the originals, so much so that unless you have played the original SSFII recently you won’t notice the changes. The announcer was also changed and in this case for the worse: He sounds too dumb. The original voice was much better, but since the announcer says about 4 phrases all game I don’t think it will bother you much.
The gameplay has also seen some changes. Some special moves are easier to perform in the Remix mode with simplified button inputs. In particular, Zangief is an easier character to master in Remix Mode than he is in Classic Mode. Other moves have seen some changes in their hit boxes, making them more useful than they where in the Classic Mode. Overall, the game feels more balanced than it was originally, although some characters like Blanka and E.Honda retain their cheapness.
The game also features a training mode, complete with Hit Box display. This is perfect to practice your moves and combos and also to see exactly where your hits register on any specific combatant. This is definitively a useful tool for students of the game.
Online the performance is very stable compared to other fighting games. A hint of lag is noticeable, but after a few fights you will get the hang of it. The competition online is fierce, so be prepared to get your butt kicked more often than not. Also be aware that there is a lot more people playing the Remix Mode online than Classic Mode.
The 411:
I firmly believe that Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix is the fighting game of the year. It takes a classic formula and remakes it for a new generation to great success. Not only is it accessible to the casual Street Fighter player, but also has a level of depth and fan service that hardcore players will love.
Graphics
9.4
The new hand drawn graphics have a real anime feel. They look as good in motion as they do on still screenshots. Colors are vibrant and crisp.
Gameplay
9.2
Classic Street Fighter gameplay with lots of quarter-circle motions and charge moves. This is the most balanced version of SSFII yet. The inclusion of the Classic Mode, Training Mode with hit boxes and even customizable dip switch settings means that newc
Sound
8.5
The new announcer is not as good as the old one and some of the remixed tracks sound too much like the originals. However, special effects sound much better than before.
Lasting Appeal
9.0
With a dozen characters to master, a Training Mode with hit boxes that is perfect to practice your combos, the original Arcade Mode and fierce online competition, this game will last you a good, long time.
Fun Factor
9.0
A game that is accessible to newbies (even more so with the new Training Mode) and full of hardcore veterans craving a challenge, SSFII HD Remix is a fantastic addition to any gamers library and a complete steal for only $15.
Armando, you definitely don't know SSF2T very well. To start off you spelled Hadoken wrong. Japanese people migrated to Brazil in the early 1900's and there remains a Japanese influence in Brazil. The sound remix is atrocious and soundsnothing like the classic. Honda and Blanka are not cheap characters and take a lot of effort to win in a competitive environment. And the biggest error is you said the announcer is worse. Go listen to the SSF2T announcer and tell me he doesn't sound like Big Bird.
Posted By: BlackLesnar (Guest) on December 21, 2008 at 11:31 PM
You also spelled Hadouken wrong Black Lesnar.
Posted By: John De Large (Registered) on December 22, 2008 at 02:02 AM
I spelled it right. Depends on how accurate you want to translate the romanization.
Spelling differs in game instruction manuals from "Hadouken", "Hado ken", and "Hado-ken". For example, the PAL version of Street Fighter EX Plus α manual uses the spelling "Hado-ken". "Hadouken" is the most widely used on the Internet (due to the general inconvenience of romanizing the word with special characters, as in "Hadōken", "Hadôken", etc.).
Posted By: BlackLesnar (Guest) on December 22, 2008 at 10:15 AM
BlackLesnar is a Troll. Good review it is a great game.
Posted By: JayZeli (Guest) on December 22, 2008 at 07:56 PM
Bad review, terrible sprites by Udon, but good online game. Only a troll doesn't back up their argument JayZeli. So shut up and go play Halo3 and leave the real games to us old schoolers.
Posted By: BlackLesnar (Guest) on December 22, 2008 at 09:13 PM
Black Lesnar, maybe you should take off the nostalgia goggles and realize just how great of a remake this was.
Posted By: Drew Robbins (Registered) on December 23, 2008 at 10:32 AM
I do love the game for the competition. I've looked beyond the obvious short comings of some of the sprites and concentrated on the great gameplay. Never said it was a bad remake, just the review wasn't at all too accurrate like the announcer sounding worse. If anyone who has played SSF2T knows the announcer was the worst part of that game. Now the announcer on regular SF2-SF2T was great.
Posted By: BlackLesnar (Guest) on December 23, 2008 at 01:33 PM
Remember that reviews reflect a personal opinion. You don't have to like or dislike the same things that I do, that's the beauty of freedom of speech.
Posted By: Armando Rodriguez (Registered) on December 31, 2008 at 08:27 AM
True, it's your opinion, but it does appear you're not as familiar with the original SSF2T. Case in point, the sound review. But at least it's a positive review and thats good for the SF community and you also fixed the Hadoken/Hadouken spelling from Haduken.
Posted By: BlackLesnar (Guest) on January 02, 2009 at 09:52 AM
Does anybody know if you can keep the new "HD Remix" graphics but use the original music, because the new music sucks. Hard.
I love the new sprites, though and the game is also more balanced. My favorite character, Cammy, was made easier to use and I thank the developers for that.
Also, as pointed out by everyone, the announcer in the Super Street Fighter games was terrible. While you may think the new announcer "sounds dumb" (whatever that means), he's actually a big improvement over Super SF2's original lame voice.
Posted By: JTX (Guest) on January 07, 2009 at 02:02 PM
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So what’s inside HD Remix? The game presents you with two gameplay experiences: Classic Mode is the same game you played on the arcades, right down to 16 bit graphics. Everything looks and plays just like you remember. The new Remix mode is where the true changes begin. The graphics have been completely redesigned and look straight out of a comic book. They look good on standard televisions and even better in high definition. Everything is more colorful and vibrant than before and full of little details. Guile and Sagat look more muscular, clothing details like Ryu’s headband flow with the wind and Chun Li has gotten bigger….er…assets. The stages have also been redesigned. They retain the basic template from the original and add more characters or more vibrant background details. I found it a bit odd that the background spectators in Brazil look Japanese, but hey, what can you do. The special effects of the special moves have also been retouched and look crisper.
The game also features a training mode, complete with Hit Box display. This is perfect to practice your moves and combos and also to see exactly where your hits register on any specific combatant. This is definitively a useful tool for students of the game.
